The key is in the core!

In some respects the arrival of rain here now would pose an inconvenience.

Plums and early apples are on the point of being ready.

Yes, some fruit has been scorched or acquired a suspicious brown toasting mingled with the natural fruit colour. Cut below the scorch and the tissue has been compromised – taste is akin to over – stewed apple. Yet, on reaching the core the tissue remains hard and the pips invariably a shiny white.

The sun affected fruit will fall, especially as the high temperatures are to continue. The unaffected fruits – most of them – will continue to ripen from the core outwards – these fruits benefit from misty mornings and would tolerate just enough rain to reactivate the lawns.

Victoria Plums are almost ready and Discovery apples will follow about 15th August.